Extraordinary world record-holding Preston teenager to speak to the United Nations in Geneva

The proud honour is just the latest one in the life of 15-year-old Montgomery Lord - known as Monty - who recently learned he is one of 25 amazing young people across the UK who have been awarded the British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA).

Monty, who lives in Walton-le-Dale, received his award for services to the community and his charity work.

On top of that personal achievement, though, he is due to make his presentation to the UN on Wednesday.

He will be presenting, as an official speaker, the findings from his 55,000 word research thesis into the effects of bedtime technology on adolescent circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.

He has managed to distill a one hour long presentation he previously gave to academics at the University of Manchester into this 6 minute 19 seconds-long presentation.

It will take place between 2pm and 4pm UK time.

Due to COVID, Monty is being allowed to present via Zoom.

Last Friday, he was officially presented with his BCyA medal by HM Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Saeed Atcha at his school .

On the morning of Monty's presentation, he was pleasantly surprised with a video of personal congratulations featuring several TV personalities and celebrities, from Michael Underwood, Matt Allwright, Tim Vincent, Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls, Peter Dickson (the voice of the X Factor), Mark Heap (playing character Jim from Friday Night Dinner), Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham from SAS: Who Dares Wins and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Monty is now entitled to use the post-nominal ‘BCyA’ after his name.

Once the lockdown is over there will be an official presentation for Monty at The Palace of Westminster.

Monty attends St. Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich and has volunteered within the community through considerable and diverse projects and increased awareness of national

and international issues.

He was instrumental in the setting up of the UK registered charity, Young Active Minds. Acting as an ambassador for the charity, sharing memory techniques with children and

young people to promote new, fun and effective learning.

Monty’s first piece of research was a 55,000 word thesis at the age of 14.

This was done entirely in his own time and his research engaged many schools across Greater Manchester.

This research was able to show statistically that the use of bedtime technology adversely impacts a person’s circadian rhythm (their internal clock).

He then went on to conduct another ground breaking piece of research into the effects of coronavirus isolation on the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and their

families and friends.

The results of this were shared with CAMHS (Children & Adults Mental Health Services) Digital at the University of Manchester and Monty himself appeared live on an official NHS

England webinar to present his findings.

This research project of Monty’s engaged almost double the number of children compared to his first and the results are being used by the NHS to help provide a better understanding in the effects of Covid-19 on young people.

Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers and BCyA patron, said “These incredible young people are the rising stars of the future – let us shine a light on them and celebrate! I hope that many more youngsters will follow in their footsteps.”

Co-founder of The British Citizen Youth Award, Mike Faulkner said: “Whilst it is bitterly disappointing not be able to present Montgomery’s medal in person, we are determined to

recognise all medalists for their exceptional endeavours. They will still have the full British Citizen Youth Award experience when we can safely gather indoors in larger numbers.

“The 25 medalists represent all that is good about young people today.

"Their commitment to others and to making society better for everyone, was the driving force for us to unite them with their medals at the earliest opportunity. Whilst some recognition programmes are regarded as elitist, the BCyA remains accessible to everyone and welcomes nominations year-round.

"By highlighting the commitment of young people like Montgomery we aim to make positive impact in the community the norm rather than the exception.”

Each Medal of Honour bears the words ‘For the Good of the Country’ and are presented to only a small number of exceptional young individuals annually.

The British Citizen Youth Award is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday young people for exceptional endeavor and are truly representative of today’s multicultural Britain.

Monty is a Royal Marines cadet at TS Galloway Sea Cadets in Preston.

His Commanding Officer Major Samantha Davis RMR said regarding Monty's BCyA award: "We're very proud to have Monty as a Royal Marines cadet at TS Galloway and for his achievement with the BCyA.

"All our cadets are taught the fundamentals of leadership and team-working. Our cadets are actively encouraged to engage with their local communities."

Monty is the Guinness World Record holder for 'the most consecutive books identified by their first sentence'.

His father Fabian Lord, a TV producer, holds the Guinness World Record for producing the most translated short film in the world.